March 11, 2024: Charlottesville seeking firms to help with review of applications submitted under new Development Code
Plus: The RWSA will close a boat ramp at South Fork Rivanna Reservoir this week for preliminary field work related to next year's construction of a new pipeline to Ragged Mountain
There are four days to go until the Ides of March but if these were Roman times there would be no formal numbering of 24-hour periods. It’s possible Julius Caesar was assassinated during a full moon as that is how the calendar worked back then. It’s also possible that none of this is relevant to a newsletter and podcast that aspires to be daily but sadly cannot work the calendar that way yet. I’m Sean Tubbs, and this is Charlottesville Community Engagement.
On today’s show:
A boat ramp at the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir will close for a month for preliminary work related to construction next year of a pipeline to the reservoir at Ragged Mountain
Lawmaking in Virginia for 2024 moves to the next phase with action taken by Governor Glenn Youngkin
Another look at public notices published in area newspapers including a public hearing Thursday for school redistricting in Albemarle County
Another look at procurement activities in Charlottesville including a request for additional help in reviewing land use applications submitted under the city’s new zoning rules
Note: A technical error occurred during the recording of the podcast, so that will go out as a separate email before #647.
First shout out: Piedmont Master Gardeners seek items for Green Elephant sale
In today’s first subscriber supported public service announcement: If you are cleaning out your garage, basement or garden shed as spring approaches, the Piedmont Master Gardeners will gladly take any yard and garden equipment you no longer need.
PMG is now accepting donations of new and used tools, hoses, decorative items, outdoor furniture—virtually anything used to create, maintain and enjoy a garden. These “Green Elephants” will be offered for sale to the public during PMG’s Spring Plant Sale. Donated items may be dropped off at 402 Albemarle Square between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays through the end of April. PMG is not able to accept plastic pots or opened chemicals. To arrange a pickup or for more information, contact the Piedmont Master Gardeners at greenelephant@piedmontmastergardeners.org.
As for that sale? Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 4, at Albemarle Square Shopping Center.
RWSA to move forward with raising reservoir level at Ragged Mountain
In early 2012, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors and the Charlottesville City Council agreed to a community water supply plan that included a new dam at Ragged Mountain as well as a pipeline to connect that reservoir with another nine miles away at the South Fork Rivanna.
A new earthen dam was completed in 2014 but the original arrangement was to not fill in the reservoir to the highest level until certain conditions were met. Last December, all parties to the water supply plan agreed to move forward with elevating the pool by 12 feet sooner.
“The additional water storage will increase the Ragged Mountain Reservoir’s water capacity to 2.1 billion gallons,” reads a press release sent out by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority this afternoon.
Construction work won’t begin until the summer of 2025. When it does, trees and other vegetation will be removed and modifications will be made to the intake tower. The release also states the work may affect use of the walking trails that are part of the Ragged Mountain Natural Area.
According to a status report for the February 2024 RWSA Board meeting, construction of the waterline connecting the South Fork and Ragged Mountain reservoirs is expected to start construction in June 2025 and be completed by December 2030. The total budget for the project is $80 million. Some of the work is already being performed.
“A short section of the 36” raw water main is being constructed with the Victorian Heights housing development on Woodburn Road and will be completed in March 2024,” reads page 53 of the meeting packet.
There will be a new raw water intake at the South Fork reservoir for the new pipeline. This Thursday, the boat ramp at South Fork will be closed for a month to make way for preliminary field work for the project.
“The preliminary field work in this area will consist of geotechnical borings, both along the shoreline and in the reservoir itself, to evaluate subsurface conditions and confirm presence of rock that may be encountered during construction,” reads that press release.
For more information on the project, visit the RWSA website.
Governor Youngkin begins consideration of bills that passed General Assembly
The 2024 General Assembly adjourned on Friday and Governor Glenn Youngkin has begun weighing in from the executive branch. On March 8, Youngkin took action on 84 bills, signing 64 into law, amending 12 bills and vetoing eight of them. In a statement, the Governor said most of the bills passed with bipartisan support.
“These bills cover a wide range of topic areas but demonstrate my continuing commitment to lowering the cost of living for Virginians, streamlining regulations, supporting our veterans, ensuring safe communities, and improving government efficiency,” Youngkin said.
Legislation that will become law include a prohibition on legacy admissions at higher educational institutions (HB48), allowing the City of Staunton to reduce or waive utility connection fees (HB136), and enshrining marriage quality in law (HB174). The European Honeybee will be the official state pollinator (HB517).
Legislation vetoed includes:
HB46 would prevent the transfer of firearms to a person prohibited from owning one because of a protective order. This passed the House of Delegates 51 to 44 and the Senate 20 to 18. (view the veto explanation)
SB47 was identical and also vetoed.
HB833 would have provided that a person could not be found to be abusing or neglecting a child solely on the basis of having consumed substances that are now legal. This passed the House 56 to 43 and the Senate unanimously. (read the veto explanation)
SB143 would have required at least two individuals to be on crew for a locomotive, train, or light engine moving freight. This passed the House of Delegates 51 to 48 and the Senate 21 to 19. Youngkin argued that federal regulations are the appropriate venue and that there is no evidence this would make railroads safer. (view the veto explanation)
SB235 would have made clear that nothing in the mandated Department of Education rules to develop model policies on sexually explicit material could be used to ban books from school libraries. This passed the House of Delegates 53 to 46 and the Senate 22 to 18. Youngkin called the legislation unnecessary. (view the veto explanation)
SB606 would have required Virginia to participate in the Electronic Registration Information Center. This passed the House of Delegates 51 to 49 and the Senate 21 to 19. Youngkin’s explanation went over the reasons his administration pulled out of the system. (view the veto explanation)
In Virginia, the Governor can make recommendations. Here’s a list of bills signed but with suggested changes that legislators can either approve or override.
HB498 would require each School Board to develop a policy to notify parents of their responsibility to safely store firearms. This passed the House 54 to 45 and the Senate 22 to 17. Youngkin recommends that the bill won’t become law until it passes the 2025 General Assembly and added a requirement that School Boards also notify parents of their parental rights and parental responsibilities. (view the recommendations)
HB597 would give localities the power to seek action or injunctions against landlords if units are considered to be in non-compliance with the rental agreement. This passed the House of Delegates 53 to 45 and the Senate 39 to 0. Youngkin also recommends this has to pass again in 2025 and also would direct the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a report listing all amendments to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act over the past five years. (view the recommendations)
SB189 to allow Virginia Beach to transition to an elected Mayor with ten Councilors passed the Senate unanimously and the House of Delegates 68 to 31 with one abstention. Youngkin also recommends requiring this not become law until it passes again in 2025. The Governor’s office explains this is to let a lawsuit to stop the move play out. Voters in Virginia Beach approved the move in 2022.
SB196 would prohibit the use of voter lists from other states for auditing purposes and would stop the practice of allowing registrars to review challenges to voter registrations with that instead being assigned to the court system. That passed the Senate 32 to 8 and the House 52 to 46. Youngkin made what appear to be technical recommendations. (view the recommendations)
Second shout out: Charlottesville E-bike Lending Library
In today’s second subscriber supported shout-out, one Patreon supporter wants you to know that Charlottesville has an eBike Lending Library! E-bikes are a great way to get around the community but there are many brands and styles to choose from. Because many e-bikes are sold online, it can be a challenge to try an e-bike before buying one.
The Charlottesville E-bike Lending Library is a free, not-for-profit service working to expand access to e-bikes in the area. They have a small collection of e-bikes that they lend out to community members for up to a week, for free. You can experience your daily commute, go grocery shopping, or even bike your kids to school, and decide whether e-bikes are right for you. Check out this service at https://www.ebikelibrarycville.org!
Public notice update: Albemarle Supervisors to hold public hearing on blight declaration for two properties on Rolling Road
There’s a lot happening at local meetings but there’s also a lot happening that can be learned from public notices required by law to be published in area newspapers. Circulation for print is dropping, so I’ve begun going through these in order to augment the signal. Links to each public notice are available by clicking on the link at the end of every blurb. You may need to log into the system first in order for it to work. Let me know if you have an issue and I’ll try to assist.
Charlottesville City Council will hold a public hearing on March 18 to consider amending the transient lodging tax from eight percent of a bill to nine percent. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 9, 2024)
There’s another public hearing on March 18 for Council to consider increase the meals tax from 6.5 percent of a bill to 7.5 percent of a bill. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 9, 2024)
Cunningham Creek Winery LLC has applied to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority for a brewery license. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 9, 2024)
Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado is seeking an ABC license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages at their new location in Hollymead Town Center. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 9, 2024)
Members of the public can sign up now to speak at a public hearing on Thursday for input on the School Superintendent Matthew Haas’ recommendation 2023/2024 redistricting study.For more information beyond what’s in the notice, visit the school system’s website. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 9, 2024)
Blue Ridge Bottle Shop LLC is seeking permission from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority for a “retail on and off premise license” for 2025 Library Avenue, Suite 203. The business is already in existence but it appears through a search a license expired on November 30, 2023 and this one is pending. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
An entity called Thistlerock Co and trading as the Thistlerock Mead Company is seeking an ABC license to be a “Farm Winery - Class II.” (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 20, 2024 to declare property at 3247 Rolling Road as blighted. “This ordinance would authorize the County Executive or his designee, on behalf of the Board, to acquire, hold, clear, repair, manage, or dispose of the Property and to recover the costs of any repair or disposal of such Property from the owner or owners of record.” Take a look at the property on Zillow. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
There’s a second public hearing for 3239 Rolling Road. According to Albemarle GIS, the structure was built in 1920 and is classified as being in “very poor” condition. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
There’s a third public hearing for 2941 Rolling Road. Albemarle GIS states this structure dates back to 1754 and is also in “very poor” condition. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
Delve Wines LLC seeks permission from the ABC to operate under a “Farm Winery Class II” license at 181 Gobblers Glen Lane. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
A 2.11 acre property in Fluvanna County’s Cunningham District will be sold at auction on April 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the county courthouse at 72 Main Street in Palmyra. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
There are also auctions in Louisa County on April 5, 2024 with one set taking place at 9 a.m. at 100 Main Street in the Town of Louisa. One of them is for 37.615 acres in the Green Springs Magisterial District as well as a 46.51 acre property in the same district. (Charlottesville Daily Progress, March 7, 2024)
Charlottesville seeking firms to help review proposals submitted under new Development Code
Finally today, another aspect of covering my beat is the monitoring of recent procurement activities in the city of Charlottesville. The city is transitioning to new software for procurement. The links provided here go to the old site.
With a new Development Code to implement, staff is seeking additional help for review of applications submitted by developers. James Freas, the city’s director of Neighborhood Development Services, said there is not a backlog of applications at this point.
“These services are being requested on an as needed basis – better to have and not need than to need and not have,” Freas wrote in an email to me this afternoon. “With these services, it allows us to manage any influx in case load that might arise under the new zoning and gives us extra capacity and architectural design expertise to address other needs as we continue our transition into review under the new code.”
A request for proposals was issued on March 6 seeking professional design review services.
“The contractor shall provide professional staff with knowledge and experience in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design,” reads page 3 of the request. “These professionals shall have a clear understanding of zoning review procedure generally, and the Charlottesville Development Code in particular.”
Contractors would be asked to review applications for compliance and to be able to have a key eye for “issues of urban design and the interaction of buildings and sites with the public realm.” They’ll also be asked to recommend design alternatives, alternatives approaches to compliance, and to possibly suggest changes to the new zoning rules over time.
There’s a fourth item requested in the RFP:
“Design information brochures, digital how-to guides, recorded webinars or other means of advising designers working with the Charlottesville Development Code,” reads this fourth item.
Bids close on April 4 and there is a voluntary pre proposal conference on March 21. (learn more)
Other bids:
The city has canceled a bid for a firm to construct a shared use path connecting Westwood Road with McIntire Park along Rugby Avenue. The sole bid received exceeded the project’s budget and a new solicitation will be entertained in the future. (learn more)
The school system seeds bids to renovate Bathroom Area #1 in B Commons to have non-gendered stalls, among other changes. Proposals are due on March 20.
The window closes on March 14, 2024 for firms “to provide anti-racism awareness training to the City’s Department of Social Services employees.” The curriculum is to include “eliminating microagressions” and “acknowledging privilege” and “increased capacity to ‘sit with discomfort’” and “having decision making conversations that automatically involve considerations of race and those marginalized.” (view bid page)
The Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center seeks a firm to remove and replace 19 electrical panels at the facility. The closing date is March 27, 2024. (view bid page)
The city is also seeking a firm that will lease the Parks and Recreation Department golf equipment and other services for the Meadowcreek Golf Course. This closing date is also March 27, 2024. (view bid page)
There’s another request for companies to perform the second phase of the replacement of the roof at Charlottesville High School. Those not interested in technical details can skip to the next blurb, but I think these words will be interesting to read.
“Replace existing roof in Phase 2 area. Remove all existing EPDM membrane, flashing, insulation, and associated materials down to structural decking. Install new membrane, flashing, insulation, and associated material according to plans and specifications. Replace or repair roof drains, elbows, and piping where indicated according to plans and specifications.”
Proposals are due on March 28.
Reading material:
School Division Proposes Deficit Budget, Lisa Martin, Crozet Gazette, March 8, 2024
Improvements to The Square Coming This Summer, Lisa Martin, Crozet Gazette, March 8, 2024
Central Virginia's retail sector is 'good but not great', Emily Hemphill, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), March 8, 2024
City Council grapples with how to handle additional $9 million funding request from City Schools, Tamica Jean-Charles, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 8, 2024
Charlottesville City Hall, School Board face $2M spending gap, Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), March 9, 2024
Is #646 a palindrome of #646?
Today’s edition is purely one of research into lots of things as I continue to work the beat of local government and continue to attempt to know as many things as I can about what’s happening. I do this work because I feel communities that have access to information have a better shot at figuring things out than those with little access.
I am able to do this because of paid subscriptions on Substack from over 600 people. When I launched back into journalism four years ago at the beginning of the emergency shutdown of society, I didn’t expect to be able to fully make my way back to being a paid journalist. I feel like I have a long way to go but I know there are many of you who want the journey to continue.
If you’d like to support this, the best way is through a paid Substack subscription. That enables a sponsorship with the Internet provider Ting. Ting will match the initial Substack amount whether that be at $5 a month, $50 a year, or $200 a year. And everyone gets a personalized thank you from me!
This is an incredibly generous sponsorship, and you if you sign up for service and enter the promo code COMMUNITY you’re going to get:
Free installation
A second month for free
A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
